Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

Chapter 1226 588: Reverse Pursuit_2

"That... that incident?" Qin Huai showed a hesitant expression, unsure whether to ask or not.

"It's actually not a big deal. In my view, it's a good thing."

"Our Uncle Wang actually has quite good conditions: a college graduate, with a promising future, and high salary when he joined the factory. Except for the heavy family burden which made life a bit tight, there wasn't any big problem. Initially, he couldn't get a date because he was from out of town and had a heavy family burden. He and his future wife wouldn't know where to live if they got married, and he was a bit of a rigid person."

"Now that he's older, his personality has gotten a bit better. When he was young, he was really rigid and not likable."

"But that wasn't really a big issue. He was very capable at work, and the leadership valued him. There were plenty of young women willing to date him, but at that time, he wasn't interested in that aspect. He said that his family burden was heavy, and he didn't want to think about marriage for the time being."

"Later..."

"Later, Uncle Wang reported the factory's leadership under his real name, including his department chief."

"It seemed like it was about embezzlement and bribery, misappropriation of factory assets, something like that. The incident blew up, and his department chief was sentenced to ten years. The deputy factory director and several key leaders in charge of materials were executed."

"Afterwards, some people praised Uncle Wang for his fairness, but more people thought he was too uncompromising. If you ask me, those people are just talking nonsense. After the deputy factory director was executed, the money he embezzled and the profits from reselling factory materials were recovered, and when Mr. Xu gave us bonuses, why didn't they make those remarks then?"

"Anyway, I just like my Uncle Wang's character. After that incident, I took a liking to him and chased after him. Master Qin, you have no idea, back then, I wrote him a love letter every month, no exceptions, and after more than two years, Uncle Wang finally agreed to date me."

"So don't think my Uncle Wang is stubborn or awkward. He was even more so when he was younger. He doesn't have any issues with you; it's completely his personal issue. I'll go back and scold him on your behalf."

Qin Huai was dumbfounded.

Uncle Wang, what's going on with you? Such an exciting past, and you keep recalling things people don't like to hear every day.

After speaking, Chen Juan happily carried her snacks back, leaving Qin Huai at Yunzhong Restaurant waiting for the good news she brought.

One day passed, and Uncle Wang was still on leave without returning to work.

Two days passed, and Uncle Wang was still on leave without returning to work.

Three days passed...

By the time Uncle Wang's leave reached its fifth day, Qin Huai couldn't sit still any longer.

Accompanied by the freshly made Fermented Rice with Steamed Buns, Three Meat Buns, and Chicken Soup Noodles, Qin Huai sat at the small table with his Chicken Soup Noodles, watching Ouyang, who was sipping hand-mixed lemonade while scrolling on his phone, and asked:

"Ouyang, what do you think is up with Uncle Wang?"

Ouyang didn't realize Qin Huai was asking him at first and was a bit stunned until he saw Qin Huai staring at him, then gleefully said, "You're asking me?"

Qin Huai: ? Dude, what's up with you? Have you been working out too much and fried your brain?

Ouyang giddily explained, "Qin Huai, you haven't asked me a question in a long time. I feel a bit unaccustomed to suddenly being consulted like this. How about you let me adjust for a bit? I'll get you a glass of hand-mixed lemonade, then you can ask."

Before Qin Huai could refuse, Ouyang immediately got up to make the lemonade.

All Qin Huai could say was, "Less ice!"

Then he turned his inquisitive gaze to Shi Dadan.

Shi Dadan returned a look to Qin Huai that said, you know me, I'm Dang Kang; this kind of brainy work doesn't suit me, I'm helpless too.

For some reason, Qin Huai missed Luo Jun a bit. This morning he checked Luo Jun's status, who was still waiting to reincarnate.

Minutes later, Ouyang brought two freshly made hand-mixed lemonades and placed them on the table, one for Qin Huai, one for Shi Dadan, dragging Shi Dadan into the strategizing group without his consent, a crew of three that may not even match up to one Zhuge Liang.

"So, what's the situation?" Ouyang opened his mouth and spoke a tongue twister.

"It's just Uncle Wang's current situation." Qin Huai's answer was equally puzzling.

"Is it that Old Wang has been on leave for five days and can't decide on snacks?" Shi Dadan was the only honest one.

"Right." Qin Huai nodded heavily, "I just mentioned it casually, didn't expect Uncle Wang to take it to heart, and let this matter trouble him so much."

Ouyang looked at Qin Huai, his eyes saying, dude, I know you too well, there's no way you just mentioned it casually.

Qin Huai asked, "Do you think Uncle Wang has a snack in mind but forgot what it was, or is he simply avoiding because he can't think of one?"

Ouyang fell into deep thought.

Shi Dadan took a big gulp of hand-mixed lemonade, found it too cold, quietly put it down, continued eating noodles, then said, after half a bowl, "I think Old Wang has a snack in mind but is avoiding it."

"With Old Wang's personality, if he just couldn't think of one, he would at least show up. He must have thought of it but didn't want to say it, couldn't think of another one to replace it, doesn't want to lie, and also didn't want to say it outright, feeling conflicted, so he didn't come."

Shi Dadan's analysis stunned Qin Huai and Ouyang. Ouyang's face was filled with Old Shi, I thought you were just like me, happily eating and drinking every day, didn't expect you to be so clever in the midst of it.

Qin Huai was amazed at the previously underestimated potential of this group, not a crew of three idiots but two idiots and one Zhuge Liang.

"If he wants to eat, just say it. What's there to be conflicted about?" Ouyang was a bit puzzled.

"Maybe Uncle Wang is just that kind of person who likes to dwell on things." Qin Huai said, having a rough idea.

If that's the case, the snack Wang Gen Sheng doesn't want to mention must be a task-related snack.

Now, only one step away from unlocking Wang Gen Sheng's side quest line.

Qin Huai looked at Ouyang.

Ouyang: ?

Ouyang suddenly had a bad premonition.

"Ouyang, don't you think it's a bit inappropriate that we've known Uncle Wang for so long and never visited his home? Logically speaking, Uncle Wang hasn't come for so long, maybe it's not merely that he's avoiding something, maybe he's actually sick. Why don't we find a time to visit his home tomorrow?"

"You bring your hand-mixed lemonade, I'll bring my snacks."

Ouyang: ? Why do you want to visit Uncle Wang and drag me along? Is it because scam groups must not act alone?"

Hey, why did I just assume we're a scam group?

Ouyang thought about it, realizing he didn't have much to do every day anyway, and agreed to go with Qin Huai to visit Wang Gen Sheng after all.

"Sure." Ouyang readily agreed and couldn't help but ask another question.

"Qin Huai, there's actually something that's puzzled me for a while."

"I'm not targeting you; it just feels this way. I don't know why, but for a long time, I've had this feeling… it's like you're engaged in some kind of scam."

"Sometimes listening to your phone calls, chatting with people and all that…"

"It must be my illusion."

"Sometimes when you talk to Uncle Wang, I can't help but feel like you're trying to scam his pension."

Qin Huai didn't expect his buddy Ouyang, while silently eating snacks every day, had noticed his hidden side gig.

"Ouyang, how could you think of me like that?" Qin Huai replied with a serious face, "Don't you know about my financial situation? I just inherited Luo Jun's estate. Do I need to scam other seniors?"

Ouyang: Again?

"But you might want to keep an eye on Zhao Cheng'an. I have a feeling he might be testing the legal boundaries. I tried to advise him to turn back before, but he seems to be persistent, possibly because his debts are too overwhelming."

"Anyway, today's hand-mixed lemonade you made is really good. Can I get another cup?"

"No problem, brother, it's on me!"